System and method for ultrasonic sample preparation

Abstract

A system for ultrasonic sample preparation includes a sample container having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner volume for containing a sample material, a converter which converts AC electricity to mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range, and an ultrasonic probe in contact with the outer surface of the sample container. The ultrasonic probe is in communication with the converter and transmits the mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range to the wall of the sample container and thereby to the inner volume, thereby mixing the sample material.

1. A system for ultrasonic sample preparation comprising:
 a sample container having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner volume for containing a sample material, the outer surface of said sample container having a size and shape; 
 a converter which converts AC electricity to mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range; and 
 an ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic probe having a size and a shape corresponding to the size and shape of the outer surface of the sample container, the ultrasonic probe having a face in direct contact with the outer surface of said sample container, so that said ultrasonic probe and said sample container are in intimate contact over substantially the entire face of the probe, said ultrasonic probe in communication with said converter and transmitting the mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range to the wall of the sample container and thereby to the inner volume, thereby mixing the sample material. 
 
     
     
       2. A system for ultrasonic sample preparation comprising:
 a sample container having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner volume for containing a sample material; 
 a converter which converts AC electricity to mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range; and 
 an ultrasonic probe in contact with the outer surface of said sample container, said ultrasonic probe in communication with said converter and transmitting the mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range to the wall of the sample container and thereby to the inner volume, thereby mixing the sample material, 
 wherein the outer surface of said sample container has a size and a shape, and wherein said ultrasonic probe has a face having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the outer surface so that said ultrasonic probe and said sample container are in intimate contact over substantially the entire face of the probe, and 
 wherein the outer surface of said sample container defines a convex curve, and wherein the face of said ultrasonic probe defines a concave curve having a size and shape complementary to a size and shape of the convex curve defined by the outer surface of said sample container. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein said sample container is generally cylindrical and has a volume of between about 1 mL and about 25 mL. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3  wherein the volume of said sample container is about 5 mL. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein said sample container is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein said ultrasonic probe has a generally circular cross-section traverse to its length. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  wherein said ultrasonic probe has a generally rectangular cross-section traverse to its length. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein said ultrasonic probe has a generally planar face. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range have a frequency falling in a range from about 20 kHz to about 40 kHz. 
     
     
       10. A method for sample preparation comprising the steps of:
 providing a sample container, the sample container having an outer surface with a size and a shape; 
 providing an ultrasonic probe having a face having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the outer surface of said sample container; 
 disposing a sample material in the sample container; 
 placing the sample container on a mixing holder; 
 moving the face of the ultrasonic probe into direct contact with the outside surface of the sample container, so that the ultrasonic probe and said sample container are in intimate contact over substantially the entire face of the probe; and 
 imparting ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to the ultrasonic probe via a converter and an electrical power source, thereby causing the ultrasonic probe to vibrate, which in turn causes a wall of the sample container to vibrate, thereby causing cavitation of the sample material in the sample container. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein said disposing step comprises the step of disposing a sample to be analyzed in the sample container, and adding a reagent thereto in the sample container. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  wherein the ultrasonic probe is prevented from directly contacting the sample material. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 2  wherein said sample container is generally cylindrical and the outer surface of said sample container has a radius of curvature, and wherein the concave curve of the face of said ultrasonic probe has a radius of curvature substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the sample container.